2030 Comprehensive Plan Update, April 2024

Downtown Raleigh

The Ground Level Experience The ground floor of buildings and the quality of the public realm play a significant role in shaping the success of downtown. Well-designed buildings respect the pedestrian and enliven the ground level experience through architectural treatments, such as multiple entrances, transparent materials, pedestrian-scaled lighting, and awnings, as well as the type of use that occurs on the ground floor. Service entrances, loading bays, and parking garage entrances often result in conflicts between the pedestrian and vehicles and should be avoided whenever feasible. The ground level of every building should engage the pedestrian with multiple entrances, large transparent windows at the pedestrian level, creative signage, and a high level of articulation and pedestrian scale building materials on all façades. Also, the ground level of every building should provide pedestrian amenities, such as adequate lighting levels and protection from the elements. This can be accomplished through the use of façade-mounted lighting elements, canopies and awnings, and arcades. Policy DT 7.5 Ground Level Design

Policy DT 7.7 Signage

Signage should be human scale and serve both pedestrians and automobiles.

Policy DT 7.8 Private Use of Sidewalk Space To add vitality to downtown streets, the private use of public sidewalks for cafes, vending, performance, and sales is encouraged.

See Private Use of Public Space Handbook

Policy DT 7.9 Street Trees

Provide and maintain street trees on all downtown streets.

Action DT 7.2 Removed 2019

Policy DT 7.6 Minimizing Service Entrance Visibility

Service entrances and functions should be located internal to the building, in alleys, or in parking decks. Their presence on the public right-of-way should be minimized.

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